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CGJ consumption improved endothelial function and vascular elastic properties of the arterial tree in healthy smokers and attenuated acute smoking-induced impairment of arterial wall properties.

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PurposeUveitis is the inflammation of the uveal tract, which usually also affects the retina and vitreous humor. The electrophysiological examination is an objective ocular examination that includes the electroretinogram, visual evoked potentials, the electrooculogram, the multifocal electroretinogram, and multifocal visual evoked potentials. Our aim is to review the literature of the use of the electrophysiological examination in cases of uveitis.MethodsWe performed a systematic search of the literature of published papers until October 2012 using the PubMed search engine. The key terms that were used were “uveitis”, “electrophysiological examination”, “electroretinogram”, “visual evoked potentials”, “electrooculogram”, “multifocal electroretinogram”, and “multifocal visual evoked potentials” in multiple combinations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review concerning the assessment of electrophysiology in uveitis.ResultsOur search of the literature demonstrated that the electrophysiological examination, mainly by means of electroretinogram, multifocal electroretinogram, and visual evoked potentials, is performed in several cases of uveitis for many purposes, including diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy. The electrophysiological examination is more useful in patients with multiple evanescent white dot syndrome, acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, birdshot chorioretinopathy, Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease, Adamantiades–Behçet disease, ocular syphilis, and Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis.ConclusionThis review summarizes the use of the electrophysiological examination in uveitic patients and underlines its value as a useful tool in the objective assessment and the monitoring of the disease.

Purpose To assess the psychological status of keratoconus sufferers and to determine the relationship between depression and visual impairment in this group of patients. Methods Fifty-six patients with keratoconus and forty-seven age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were retroprospectively analyzed. Every participant underwent a complete ophthalmological examination. Keratoconus diagnosis was confirmed with corneal topography and tomography. Zung Depression Inventory Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were completed by everyone. Results Visual acuity (logMAR 0.53 ±0.30 versus 0.11 ± 0.16), PHQ-9 score (10.20 ± 4.00 versus 5.40 ± 5.01), and Zung score (46.52 ± 8.70 versus 38.53 ± 8.41) showed a statistically significant difference between keratoconus patients and healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). Worse visual acuity was strongly correlated with older individuals (rho = 0.339, p=0.011) and higher PHQ-9 (rho = 0.765, p < 0.001) and Zung score (rho = 0.672, p < 0.001). Conclusion Depressive disorders appear to be directly associated with keratoconus, both in frequency and intensity. Worse visual acuity and older age could be identified as predictive factors for their emotional status. Moreover, the disease itself could be recognized as an independent risk factor for depression development, underlying the need for close monitoring and supportive management. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first in the literature to elaborate the association between keratoconus and depression, by assessing two different questionnaires simultaneously.

Précis: Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PExG) patients present with not only endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness but also with a specific profile of circulating apoptotic endothelial microparticles which may be owing to the accumulation of pseudoexfoliative material in vessels walls. Purpose: PExG is characterized by the deposition of pseudoexfoliative material in several tissues and organs including in the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to evaluate the vascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness, inflammatory status, and circulating microparticle (MP) levels in PExG patients compared with those in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and control subjects. Methods: Vascular endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation. Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index were measured as indices of aortic stiffness and arterial wave reflections, respectively. Growth-differentiation factor-15 and intercellular adhesion molecule1 levels were measured to evaluate the systemic inflammatory status. Circulating MPs that constitute an emerging marker of vascular endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: There was a stepwise impairment from the control to the POAG patients and PExG subjects in the flow-mediated dilation (8.21%±2.94% vs. 7.56%±3.12% vs. 5.79±3.13, P=0.005), pulse wave velocity (8.14±1.79 vs. 9.21±2.27 vs. 9.95±3.28 m/s, P=0.007), augmentation index (24.71%±7.84% vs. 26.78%±7.21% vs. 29.96%±7.58%, P=0.02), and growth-differentiation factor-15 (P=0.001) and intercellular adhesion molecule1 levels (P=0.08). PExG patients expressed greater levels of total circulating MPs (Annexin V+) (P=0.004) and endothelial-derived MPs (CD144+) (P<0.001) compared with POAG and control subjects. Conclusions: PExG patients with an accumulation of pseudoexfoliative microfibrillar material presented with vascular endothelial dysfunction and arterial wall impairment associated with the levels of circulating proinflammatory molecules and circulating apoptotic endothelial MPs. These findings highlight the underlying systemic pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the progress of the pseudoexfoliative syndrome.

Background/Aim: Glaucoma is a chronic and progressive optic neuropathy which leads to deterioration of visual function. It is estimated to be the second leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness worldwide. Failure of antiglaucoma medication to sufficiently reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and poor compliance with medication are indications for glaucoma surgery, for example using glaucoma drainage devices. Our aim was to compare the surgical outcomes following the implantation of Ahmed FP7 and Baerveldt 350 drainage devices. Patients and Methods: Five hundred and fiftytwo patients with primary or secondary glaucoma were enrolled in the study. All patients had a history of failed trabeculectomy or other intraocular surgery, and IOP ≥18 mm Hg. The implantation of Ahmed (266 patients) or Baerveldt (286 patients) devices was randomly performed in the patients, who were subsequently examined for a period of 5 years. Follow-up visits were scheduled 1 day;

BackgroundMethanol intoxication is a dangerous situation because it often results in permanent problems such as visual deterioration, metabolic disturbances, neurological dysfunction, and even death. We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of irreversible bilateral blindness due to methanol intoxication caused by accidental ingestion of rubbing liquid.Case presentationA 49-year-old Greek man developed bilateral irreversible blindness after accidental methanol intoxication. He underwent complete ophthalmological examination, including electroretinogram, visual evoked potentials, multifocal-visual evoked potentials, and optical coherence tomography scan of the optic nerve. Complete laboratory evaluation, urine drug testing, neurological examination, and computed tomography scans were also performed. Visual acuity demonstrated no light perception bilaterally, pupils were semi-dilated and unreactive to light, while the retina was normal in both eyes. Electroretinogram was normal, while visual evoked potentials, multifocal-visual evoked potentials recording, and optical coherence tomography scanning of both optic nerve heads were pathological in both eyes. The neurological examination and the computed tomography scans did not reveal any abnormalities. The laboratory evaluation was normal and the urine drug test was negative for benzodiazepines, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, salicylates, barbiturates, and phencyclidine.ConclusionThis is the first case report of methanol intoxication which documents both anatomical and functional abnormalities by means of optical coherence tomography and electrophysiological tests correspondingly. The ocular findings and the reported electrophysiological changes support the hypothesis that methanol affects photoreceptors, Müller cells, and the retrolaminar portion of the optic nerve.